DARLINGTON’S Julian Joachim will be looking forward to Saturday’s home game with Peterborough.

He relished both encounters with his home-town club last season, banging in four goals in two 3-1 victories.

He scored twice at London Road early in the campaign, with two of the classiest goals the side scored all season.

And he fared just as well in the home game with Posh in January. David Wheater, on loan from Boro at the time, equalised an early Posh goal, before Joachim took centre stage, netting twice in the second half.

The latter victory ended a run of six successive defeats and launched the side on a 13-game unbeaten run.

This season there is more stability in the ranks, as Darlington look to bounce back from their first defeat of the season at MK Dons last Saturday.

Joachim is playing on the right flank now rather than as a striker, but he is proving just as valuable an asset in the side role.

He has scored once this season and created others, his pace and control looking a cut above League Two at times.

“We always knew he had the ability, but his work rate is also excellent,” said manager Dave Penney. “He is helping out in defence as well as getting forward.”

The former Leeds United, Leicester and Aston Villa man has just turned 33, but retains his pace and fitness.

“He’s one of the quickest in the club, and to play out wide you have to be fit and able to get up and down,” said Penney. “He can do that, and he has played in a lot of big games, so can cope with that and raise his game when he needs to.”

Quakers could have Neil Austin back in contention this weekend. The right-back has endured a frustrating start to his Darlington career because of a troublesome ankle injury that is proving more awkward than first anticipated.

But he was only just short of making the trip to MK Dons, and might be ready to join the squad that faces Peterborough.

When Austin has played he has created a good impression with his solid defending and accurate passing to set attacks going.